The C&O Canal Scenic Byway
Originally built to move goods from Washington DC to the west, the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal is now a hub of recreational activity, with hiking, biking, bird watching, horse-back riding and more. Williamsport, MD is its geographical center, and visitors here can experience the Canal first-hand with ranger-led boat rides and towpath tours. Stay at a Lock House to experience life as it was “back in the day” and scarf up a healthy lunch at Desert Rose Cafe while there. In Hancock, MD, visitors can pick up the Rail Trail, a paved portion that runs alongside the towpath, to Fort Frederick State Park. But first, grab some pie at Weaver’s Restaurant or the Blue Goose Fruit Market & Bakery!
236 miles – Allow 4 hours to drive the byway
Workers who toiled on the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal between 1828 and 1859 could not have imagined that their engineering feat – designed for the sole purpose of speeding up commercial trade – would one day become a hub of outdoor recreational activity. Hiking, biking, bird watching and mule-drawn barge rides are among the many popular pursuits now enjoyed beside this peaceful passage.
During its century of service, the canal worked with a system of 74 lift locks that regulated water levels, allowing boats laden with coal, flour, lumber, grain and produce to be pulled by mule trams walking on an adjacent towpath. Their 184.5-mile journey stretched from the mountains of Western Maryland, through farmland and forest, to the tidewater outskirts of our nation’s capital. Your journey follows this same course, allowing you to make heritage discoveries along each new mile.
The Antietam Campaign Scenic Byway
The “Bloodiest Single-day of Battle” of the Civil War took place at Antietam, near Sharpsburg. Park living history programs at Antietam National Battlefield provide a glimpse into the lives of Civil War soldiers. Learn about Civil War medicine at the Pry House Museum. Annual events include an Independence Day concert and December’s Antietam Memorial Illumination, with 23,110 lights placed along a five-mile driving route.
As the autumn of 1862 approached, President Abraham Lincoln felt he needed a decisive Union victory to ensure that there would be support for a yet-to-be-announced proclamation freeing the slaves. It’s still debatable just how decisive the slaughter at Antietam – remembered as “The Bloodiest Single Day of the Civil War” – truly was. By sheer numbers, the Sept. 17 battle ended in a draw, with 10,7000 Confederates and 12,4000 Union soldiers killed, wounded or missing in action. However, General George McClellan’s Union army thwarted the Rebel advance north, and a few days after the cannons fell silent, Lincoln visited the battlefield.
This byway roughly follows the chronology of events beginning Sept. 4, as General Robert E. Lee and his Army of Northern Virginia crossed the Potomac River into Maryland, and ending two weeks later as Lee’s forces limped back into West Virginia. The byway brings you face to face with both familiar and lesser-known Civil War stories, while also placing you among breathtaking scenery and convenient recreational opportunities.
126 miles – Allow 4 hours to drive the byway.
Blackwater Falls State Park
Blackwater Falls State Park is one of the most photographed areas around the state. The falls are part of the Blackwater River, which has amber colored water plunging five stories and twisting through an 8-mile-long gorge. There are numerous lookout points to view not only the river and the falls, but also the half mile wide canyon.
https://wvstateparks.com/park/blackwater-falls-state-park/
Located in the Allegheny Mountains of Tucker County, Blackwater Falls State Park is named for the amber waters of Blackwater Falls, a 57-foot cascade tinted by the tannic acid of fallen hemlock and red spruce needles. The falls, the main attraction of Blackwater Falls State Park, are accessible from steps and several viewing platforms that allow visitors to enjoy scenic views year-round. Blackwater Falls, and nearby Elakala Falls, Lindy Point and Pendleton Point Overlook, are some of the most photographed sites in West Virginia. The park offers lodging and many outdoor recreational opportunities.
Blackwater Falls Cabins
Blackwater Falls State Park has 26 vacation cabins in a wooded area, about a mile from the lodge and not far from the Sled Run. These cabins offer real peace and quiet. The park’s 13 Vacation Cabins sit on the north side of the park, down the road from the famous Blackwater Falls. Whichever area you choose to stay in, you won’t be far from the fun. And if you enjoy traveling with your animal companion, Blackwater Falls State Park even has 10 pet-friendly cabins.
Cabins are available year-round. Check in begins at 4 p.m., and check out is by 10 a.m. for all cabins.
Classic Cabins
Classic cabins are of wood frame construction and feature various room and bedding arrangements. They have fully equipped kitchens, linen service, bathrooms with showers, wood paneled walls, open fireplaces. Forced air heat and air conditioning is available in some cabins. Other amenities vary park to park.
Southside Cabin Area (View Map)
Amenities
- Water and electric
- Completely furnished
- WiFi
- Flat-screen television
- Bath with shower
Vacation Cabins
Blackwater Falls State Park has 13 four-bedroom, two-bath, vacation style cottages located on the Northside Cabin Area. These units include a combo washer-dryer, dishwasher, gas fireplace, and porches for forest views. They are located near Pendleton Point and the nature center. All cabins at Blackwater Falls State Park are year-round favorites.
Northside Cabin Area (View Map)
Amenities
- Water and electric
- Four rooms
- Two full bathrooms
- Gas fireplace
- Air-conditioning
- Full kitchen with dishwasher
- Laundry machines
- Flat-screen television
- Wireless Internet
Blackwater Falls Camping
Blackwater Falls State Park is named for the falls of the Blackwater River, whose amber-colored waters plunge five stories then twist and tumble through an eight-mile long gorge. The “black” water is a result of tannic acid from fallen hemlock and red spruce needles. This area is one of the most photographed sites in West Virginia. Campers visiting the park can enjoy activities like hiking, biking, fishing and so much more.
Campground Seasons & Dates
- The campground is open spring through fall, weather permitting
- Campsites can be reserved online at any time, by phone or at the campground office
- Reservations may be made for no less than two consecutive nights on weekends (Fri., Sat.) or one night during the week (Sun.-Thurs.)
- Visitors may book a maximum of 14 consecutive nights
Campsite Amenities
- The campground is home to 65 total tent and trailer sites
- 30 of the sites include an electric hookup
- The park features a centrally-located bathhouse with hot showers, a laundromat and a dumping station
Blackwater Falls Lodge
Located on Blackwater Canyon’s south rim, the lodge at Blackwater Falls State Park offers 54 comfortable rooms with sweeping views of the densely forested gorge below. Built in the 1950s, this lodge predates its sister lodge at Canaan Valley Resort State Park, about 20 minutes away, and has a smaller, quieter atmosphere. All lodge rooms have been extensively renovated, but the mid-century architecture conveys a sense of history and blends in with the natural surroundings. The view of the Blackwater Canyon from the back patio is almost as breathtaking as the park’s famous waterfalls.
Lodge Amenities and Park Attractions
- The Smokehouse -full-service restaurant & Trading Post snack bar
- Conference facilities for up to 200 guests
- Indoor pool & hot tub
- Fitness room
- Game room
- Tennis and game courts
- Paddle boats, canoes, kayaks and paddleboards
- Winter sled run
- Nature Center
- Seasonal beach with lake swimming
- Cross-country skiing
- Electronic vehicle servicing equipment
- Check in: 4 p.m. | Check-out: 11 a.m.
Shenandoah National Park
The Shenandoah National Park, just outside of Front Royal, includes breathtaking sights such as the Skyline Drive, part of the Appalachian Trail, many stunning waterfalls, incredible views, and a theater of fascinating wildlife.
When the state of Virginia amassed 196,000 acres of land in the early 1930’s, Shenandoah National Park was born. Members of the Civilian Conservation Corps- a government program that provided jobs during the Great Depression- were given the task of building the new park’s facilities. They constructed picnic grounds, campgrounds, trails, rock walls, bridges, Skyline Drive, and over 340 recreational buildings within the park. July 3, 1936 was the official dedication of Shenandoah National Park.
This park is popular nationally, and even internationally, as people come to see the spectacular sights. It hosts approximately 2 million visitors each year. Its forests, now consisting mainly of oak and hickory trees, are nearly a hundred years old. Hosting these forests are 60 different peaks greater than 3,000 feet above sea level. The park also currently boasts 75 scenic overlooks, Visitors Centers, educational programs, great campgrounds, and over 500 miles of trails. 101 miles of these trails is a part of the panoramic Appalachian Trail that stretches from Georgia to Maine. Some trails lead to a waterfall or viewpoint; while others penetrate deep into the quiet forest and wilderness.
Any season of the year you sojourn at Shenandoah Park, you will be astounded, flabbergasted, dumbfounded, stupefied and impressed by its vistas. In the spring, flowering trees will capture your attention with their delicacy and grace, the towering forests will spread their majestic foliage in summer. In fall the vegetation will put on a striking cloak of lavish colors, and in winter, a blanket of white will wrap the hills in its glittering glory.
Virginia Creeper Trail
The Virginia Creeper Trail in Damascus was developed in 1984 from an abandoned Norfolk and Western Railway line, known as the “Creeper”. Its elevation from Abindon, VA and adjacent town starts at 2,040 feet and stretches over 34 miles to its highest point at Whitetop Station with an elevation of 3.576 feet. The majority of the visitors park in the town of Abingdon or Damascus, rent some bikes from one of the shops and take a shuttle to the top of Whitetop Station and experience the 17 miles down hill back into Damascus. The ride from Damascus to Abingdon is flat but an additional 17 miles long.
This rail trail system attracts over 100,000 plus people from all over the world bringing them to Damascus or Abingdon Virginia. The scenic trail and gentle grade make this attraction great for all members of the family whether young or old. The Virginia Creeper Trail is used by bicycles, fly fishing anglers, hikers, and horseback equestrian riders. The Virginia Creep Trail is wide and easy to navigate passing a few small towns, traveling over bridges, and over water. The bicycle ride down hill takes between 2-4 hours depending on how fast you go and if you make stops along the way.
There are stops along the way with restrooms, food and history of the railroad such as the old railroad station at green Cove, the high trestle bridge at Creek Junction, and Taylor’s Valley Community. There are three visitor centers along the trail. The Damascus Caboose, Green Cove Station and the Whitetop Station. There are souvenirs for sale as well as restrooms and history of the trail at these stations.
